Program Overview

Course Profile

General Course Information

The course code for the Public Interest Clinic is LLAW3230. This course is offered under the LLB Programme and is available in both the first and second semesters. It is not a designated research course and does not have any specializations or prerequisites. The course is worth 6 credits and is not open to non-law students.

Course Description

The Public Interest Clinic is a clinical legal education subject that combines practical experience with academic learning. Under the supervision of course instructors and in collaboration with legal practitioners, students provide legal assistance to non-governmental and non-profit organizations, as well as to individuals from underserved communities. These communities include individuals seeking asylum, those affected by human trafficking, mental health patients, and persons facing discrimination.

Students work in small groups on allocated projects, gaining practical legal skills by providing assistance and information to clients. The precise nature of the practical experience varies depending on the needs of the relevant organizations and clients requiring assistance during the academic semester.

During the course, students conduct in-depth interviews with clients from underserved populations to establish the scope and goals of each case. They identify key deliverables that address the specific needs of their clients and leverage their foundational knowledge of doctrinal law to enhance their competencies through targeted legal research.

In addition to direct client engagements, students participate in research activities that support the broader work of the clinic. These efforts include analyzing legal trends, evaluating procedural effectiveness, and developing educational materials to inform both clients and the broader community.

Course Teachers

• Course Convenor: Patricia Ho
• Consultation: By email

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• CLO 1: Apply legal principles and doctrines to real-life client situations, particularly in representing underserved communities.
• CLO 2: Conduct legal research to analyze trends and evaluate key issues within the human rights context.
• CLO 3: Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, including interviewing, working with interpreters, and ascertaining facts in conjunction with sensitive and complex legal issues.
• CLO 4: Draft a variety of legal documents and informative materials that meet professional standards required in practice.
• CLO 5: Participate in and reflect on collaborative projects, learning to work effectively in teams and understanding the dynamics of group work in a professional legal setting.

Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

The course contributes to the achievement of various Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of the LLB Programme, including:

• PLO A
• PLO B
• PLO C
• PLO D
• PLO E
• PLO F

Each CLO aligns with these PLOs, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the programme's learning objectives.

Assessment

Assessment Summary

• Class Participation: 10%
• Weekly Reports: 20%
• Ongoing Clinic Work: 50%
• Class Presentations and Written Reviews: 20%

Feedback methods include a general course report, individual feedback via email or Moodle, individual review meetings, group review meetings, and in-class verbal feedback.

Grading Criteria

Students are assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Learning Activities

• Lecture: 3 hours/week for 12 teaching weeks
• Private Study and/or Project Working Time: 9-10 hours/week for 12 teaching weeks

The normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours, which includes all learning activities, experiences within and outside the classroom, assessment tasks, examinations, and associated preparations.

Learning Resources

• Reading Materials: Posted on Moodle
• Core Reading List: To be advised
• Recommended Reading List: To be advised

These resources support the learning outcomes and activities of the course, providing students with the necessary materials to engage with the subject matter effectively.